Colossians 4: Walking with Christ

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Matthew 20:1–15 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a business owner who went early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. After reaching an agreement to pay a day’s wages, he sent them into his vineyard.

” Around nine o’clock, he saw people in the marketplace doing nothing. ‘Go work in my vineyard,’ he told them, ‘and I will pay you a fair wage.’ So they went.

” At noon and at three o’clock in the afternoon, he did the same thing.

” Later, at almost five o’clock, he saw others standing around. ‘Why have you been standing here all day, doing nothing?’ he said.

“‘Because no one has hired us.’

“‘Then go work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’

“In the evening, the owner said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and give them their pay, starting with those hired last.’ Those who were hired at five o’clock received a day’s wages. When those who were first hired came, they expected to receive more but were only given a day’s pay, so they complained to the owner.

“‘The men you hired last have only worked an hour, but you gave them as much as you paid us for working in the heat all day.’

“The owner said, ‘Men, I’ve done you no wrong. Didn’t you agree to work for one day’s pay? Take your money and go. If I want to give the last workers as much as I gave you, I have the right to do so. It’s my money. Do you think I am evil because I’ve chosen to be generous?’ “

Colossians 4:1 Employers, recognize your responsibility to pay your workers a fair wage, the same as what you expect your God in Heaven to do what is right for you.

King James

Matthew 20:1–15 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

For what reasons should Christians stay watchful in prayer and thanksgiving?

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Mark 13:33 “Always be watching, because you do not know when your Lord will come.”

Colossians 4:2 Stay alert, watchful in prayer and thanksgiving.

1 Peter 3:15 Make good on your commitment to the Lord by preparing to share your experiences with those who might not understand how you have survived your struggles. Always be ready to reveal why you have hope in this tumultuous world.

King James

Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

How do you think Paul felt about his imprisonment?

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Acts 16:25 At midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, loud enough for everyone in the prison to hear.

Colossians 4:3 Keep us in your prayers that God will bring more opportunities to explain the mystery of Jesus Christ, which is why I am here in prison.

King James

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

After so many years preaching the message of Jesus Christ, why did Paul see any need for people to pray for his speaking ability?

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1 Corinthians 2:3–4 When I was with you, I humbly trembled with great concern, that you experience the power of the Holy Spirit and not be enticed with an appealing human philosophy.

Colossians 4:3 Keep us in your prayers that God will bring more opportunities to explain the mystery of Jesus Christ, which is why I am here in prison.

2 Peter 1:16 We were not making up clever, fictional stories from our imagination when we showed you the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming. With our own eyes, we saw his greatness.

King James

1 Corinthians 2:3–4 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Colossians 4:3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

2 Peter 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

In sharing our stories how Christ has changed our lives, what kind of wisdom do we need?

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Matthew 7:6 “Do not give something holy to dogs. They will turn and attack, tearing you to pieces. Do not toss your pearls to pigs. They will only trample them under their feet.”

Colossians 4:5–6 Use wisdom in being a witness for Christ throughout the day. Be gracious with your stories, flavoring your message with that which will answer the hunger in everyone’s heart.

1 Peter 3:15 Make good on your commitment to the Lord by preparing to share your experiences with those who might not understand how you have survived your struggles. Always be ready to reveal why you have hope in this tumultuous world.

King James

Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Colossians 4:5–6 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Why was Tychicus such a beloved brother of Paul?

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Colossians 4:7–8 Tychicus, my beloved brother and servant of the Lord, will tell you all about my situation. I have sent him to see how you are doing and to encourage you.

King James

Colossians 4:7–8 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts;

What role did Onesimus play in Paul’s work for the Lord?

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Colossians 4:9 My faithful brother Onesimus is originally from Colosse. He and Tychicus can tell you all about our ministry here.

King James

Colossians 4:9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are done here.

How important was John Mark in the work of the ministry?

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Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends his greetings. Mark, cousin of Barnabas, sends his greeting as well. You’ve already been told to welcome him if he comes.

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Colossians 4:11 Yeshua called Justus, who is Jewish, greets you. These men have all been a great help to me in preaching the Kingdom of God.

King James

Colossians 4:11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me.

If Epaphras was from Colosse, why didn’t he accompany the group that was going there?

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Colossians 4:12–13 fervently serving the Lord here. He is praying that you find God’s perfect will in all that you do. I have seen his great passion for you and also those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

King James

Colossians 4:12–13 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

Why do people forsake a faith that they once embraced?

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1 Corinthians 5:3–5 I may not be there physically, but I am present in spirit, able to judge the situation and know what ought to have been done. Under the direction and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, call a meeting of believers and I will be with you in spirit and in the power of Christ to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Colossians 4:14 Demas and Doctor Luke send their greetings.

2 Timothy 4:10 Demas has deserted me for the pleasures of this world, going to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

King James

1 Corinthians 5:3–5 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

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King James

Colossians 4:14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.

How much influence do you think Paul’s letters had? Why?

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Colossians 4:15–16 Please give my greetings to the believers in Laodicea, to Nympha and the assembly that meets in her home. After reading this letter, take it to the believers in Laodicea. Read my letter to them as well.

King James

Colossians 4:15–16 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Who was Archippus?

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Colossians 4:17 Encourage Archippus to do all the work that the Lord has called him to do.

King James

Colossians 4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

Why was Paul in prison if people remembered him in prayer?

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Colossians 4:18I close with these words written by my own hand. Remember me in prison. May God’s favor always be with you. Paul.

King James

Colossians 4:18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.